08/01/2020
Recently single Elena Riley, the sole librarian in a small town outside Nashville, reluctantly allows her roommate to set her up on a blind date. Elena is pleasantly surprised to discover that her date is not only gorgeous but in incredible shape—(she accidentally sits down with NFL star Jack Hawke instead of her date). Jack, starting quarterback for the Nashville Tigers, is struggling with losing his fourth Super Bowl in a row, and fans and the media are calling for his head. As far as he's concerned, this sexy firecracker unschooled in football is a breath of fresh air. Once the two clear up this case of mistaken identity, the challenge becomes trusting each other enough to strengthen a relationship that started with a one-night stand and a lie. Elena's somewhat stereotypical "sexy librarian" persona will delight some readers and frustrate others, while Jack's wariness and anxiety around public appearances lends invigorating humanity to a larger-than-life figure. VERDICT The crackling chemistry between the two leads is strong, and though numerous side conflicts threaten to overwhelm the main romance and leave the plot feeling slightly overstuffed, this new series launch from Madden-Mills (I Bet You) will be welcomed by fans of sports romances.—Jessica Moore, Milwaukee P.L.
2020-06-03
A librarian meeting a blind date accidentally approaches the wrong man—the quarterback of the local NFL team.
After Elena Riley’s boyfriend dumps her for her own sister, she is determined to get back in the dating game. She allows her roommate to arrange a Valentine’s Day blind date at one of Nashville’s hottest restaurants. Jack Hawke is reeling from a devastating Super Bowl loss, and even though he realizes he’s not Elena’s date, he’s unable to resist this charming woman who is oblivious to his fame. After a sizzling one-night stand, Jack reveals his true identity but is determined to never see her again. Jack’s last girlfriend, furious after their breakup, wrote a tell-all memoir full of lies about him. His deep-seated trust issues make him wary of continuing to date a woman who refuses to sign his NDA, but Elena isn’t interested in continuing a relationship based only on sex. They seem to be at an impasse, but a series of coincidences, some more believable than others, keep throwing them together. The novel is full of quirky small-town characters who draw Jack and his teammates into their world. When Jack and Elena are cast as the leads in the local production of Romeo and Juliet, they can no longer fight their attraction. They are both likable and fully-developed, but random plot devices drive the story more than organic character growth. Nevertheless, the romance is pleasing and well paced.
A romance aiming to be cute and quirky hits its mark.
Rife with uproarious moments and banter that sings, this scorching contemporary will captivate Madden-Mills’s fans.” —Publishers Weekly
“Not My Romeo quickly rose to one of my top reads of the year…” —Romantic Rush
“…Ilsa Madden Mills writes broken, damaged and flawed [men] to perfection. They are always so easy to connect with and fall head over heels in love with.” —OMGReads
“I’m lost for words on how to express my love…This sports romance has some of what you expect but also so much more.” —Book Boyfriend and Husband Make Three
“One of my favorites books ever!” —Dreams Book Club
“Lovable and interesting main characters, dynamic secondary characters, and a unique plot that kept me engaged. I was honestly sad when it ended.” —My Little Book Nook
“Jack Hawke is my newest Ilsa addiction. I can’t help it, I just love the sexy broken ones so much. Especially when they are also sweet & caring, you just want to bundle them up and protect them from this twisted world forever!” —The Masque Reader
“A happy ending so carefully wrought that you can’t help but tear up over both the pleasure of the moment and the pain of having to leave characters…” —Professor Romance
“Ilsa has exceeded any expectation I had of her newest deliciously sizzling hot bad boy in Not My Romeo!! A truly delightful and roll in the floor funny rom-com.” —Delish, Divine and All Mine
“…hot romance and great banter…this is a must read!” —Simon Says
“Wonderfully written rom-com…From Elena’s family, to the little town of Daisy, Jack’s teammates, and Romeo the pig, everything was just so wonderful!” —Romance Reader Gal
“Did not want this story to end and yet, I could not stop reading. She’s one of my top five favorite authors who never, ever disappoints.” —Fairwood Reader
